Why would anyone want to eat clean, eliminate caffeine, cut carbs, and drink lots of water? Because we need to help our body rid itself from a build-up of harmful chemicals and toxins. Purification, detox, cleansing, and detoxification are all words that describe this ridding process. However, isn’t our body designed to do it internally?

Of the 80,000 chemicals registered for use in the U.S., many invade our body with simple exposure. This, in addition to the waste that is produced by our metabolic functions, overburdens our body’s natural detoxification process. Thus creating problems for our immune, endocrine, nervous, and reproductive systems. Detoxing is a great solution to combat this unhealthy situation that many of us find ourselves in today.

In any given day, we are exposed to a significant number of toxins from cigarette smoke (first- or secondhand), pesticides, household cleaning products, preservatives and additives, air and water pollutants, plus trans-fats. Some of the toxins are out of our control because they are in the environment. Yet others we voluntarily expose ourselves to by choosing to eat foods that are highly processed, fried, sugary, and boxed. Furthermore, many of us engage in unhealthy habits such as smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and not exercising. We then make the assumption that our body can handle this attack because we cannot see the internal damage it causes.

Our liver, kidneys, and intestines are responsible for removing toxins from our body, with the liver carrying a bulk of the work. We are designed to handle toxins, but in a amount that is far less than what we are exposed to. Advances in food shelf life, farming methods, and convenience foods have put significant strain on our detoxification organs that they were not designed to handle. The end result is a body that is overworked, under-performing, and leaving our body carrying the overflow of toxins that cannot be disposed of properly.

How can you tell if this is happening to your body? Here are a few questions you can answer to help if your body is on overload and in need of detoxing:

• Do you have any joint discomfort?
• Is your head usually stuffy?
• Do you crave certain foods and gaining weight despite your best efforts to lose it?
• Do you experience indigestion frequently?
• Any temporary gastrointestinal upset?
• Have you been experiencing a low libido?
• Do you feel foggy during the day?
• How does your skin look? Are you experiencing break-outs or puffiness? 
• Are you feeling tired throughout the day or having difficulty sleeping?

Detoxifying your body with a cleanse is similar to going on vacation because you are giving yourself much needed rest and relaxation. Detoxing allows your body to go on vacation, too, by giving it the tools it needs to purge itself of the excess toxins it has not been able to before. This re-calibration helps to sustain weight loss, increase your vitality, and improve overall wellness. So, the next time you feel the need for a vacation, think of your liver. Use that as a sign to give your liver a vacation too with a detoxification program. If you are unsure of where to begin, Damron Chiropractic & Wellness would be happy to answer any questions you might have.